The Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) and Think College National Coordinating Center (NCC) are collaborating on an opportunity to learn and practice policy advocacy skills is once again available to students and staff of inclusive higher education programs. If you or someone you know works for or attends a postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disability, you are qualified to apply to be a Think College Policy Advocate, and be supported to participate in the 2021 Disability Policy Seminar, scheduled to be held virtually Apr. 19-21.

All registration costs to participate in the online Disability Policy Seminar will be covered for those selected as Think College Policy Advocate teams. The Disability Policy Seminar, to be held fully online in 2021, offers the opportunity for passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues that affect them most. After two days of training and learning, attendees will participate in a day of meetings with their Members of Congress on Capital Hill. The Arc co-hosts this conference with seven other national disability organizations.

Think College Policy Advocate teams will participate in pre-conference webinars in March as well as multiple online events during the Disability Policy Seminar. Learning will continue in a series of follow up events after the Seminar.

Up to 10 teams, comprised of one student and one staff member, will be selected. Teams must be interested in learning more about public policy and be able to commit to the full series of activities over a year.  Additionally, they will be responsible for subscribing to the AUCD news updates, host a policymaker at their college program, create some policy documents to share with policymakers, host a Think College Public Policy Affinity Group call, and produce some other written pieces.

A complete description, application, and template for a recommendation letter are all available here. Applications are due by Feb. 19; teams will be contacted on or about Mar. 1. If you have any questions, contact Denise Rozell at AUCD: drozell@aucd.org.